Chapter 111

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Zhao Meizhi, watch your mouth. Whether my little brother and sister-in-law are a match isn't something you can tell just by looking.

Keep your own business to yourself. If you dare bring any more filthy talk to our old Xie family, I'll go to the Street Office and file a complaint."

Wu Zhaodi shouted at the top of her lungs, her words full of courage, directly dragging the Xie family, previously on the edge, into the center spotlight.

Shen Yao's mouth opened wide into an O shape. She never expected that the first person from the Xie family to jump out wouldn't be the efficient Tian Na or the generous Wang Yanyan, but Wu Zhaodi, who looked somewhat weak and bullyable.

Shen Yao:... She didn't know why, but those presumptuous guesses she had made based on names might differ greatly from the actual person.

"Wu Zhaodi, what are you blabbering about? How am I dragging your old Xie family into this?" Zhao Meizhi was clearly more afraid; her voice, which could snap back at others, sounded weak in front of Wu Zhaodi.

Seeing Zhao Meizhi bully the weak and fear the strong, the others spoke up one after another to criticize her.

Qian Jian'gang saw Cheng Xue going out, like a hungry wolf seeing fresh meat, and couldn't help but open his mouth to bite his own lip.

"Sister Zhao, Little Xue and I are clear and innocent. Xie Ci'an is getting married soon.

You're talking nonsense and affecting the Xie family's wedding. Tian Dama won't let you off."

Qian Jian'gang's mother, Miao Cuilan, hearing this, hurriedly reached out and patted her eldest son. "Don't talk nonsense."

Qian Jian'gang shook her off with one hand. "Mom, what nonsense am I talking? The Xie family came over today with so many people to eat. Isn't it just to liven things up for a wedding?

Little Xue and I—when will you go and mention it to Uncle Cheng and Aunt Cheng?"

The last words Qian Jian'gang said anxiously; he truly loved Cheng Xue.

But Xie Ci'an was blocking her in front, and other colleagues from the Machinery Factory were blocking her behind, so he hadn't had much of a chance on his end.

Now that he had finally waited for Xie Ci'an's wedding, Uncle Cheng insisted on only taking in a son-in-law who lives with the wife's family. He couldn't miss this chance!

Miao Cuilan:...

"Go back to the room, get back into the room for me," Miao Cuilan twisted Qian Jian'gang's ear and dragged him into the room, shouting for Qian Dacheng and the other two sons to come in as she dragged.

"Not eating a good meal while it's hot, who will serve you once it's cold?

All of you get into the room and eat for me. Our old Qian family may not be rich, but every one of us is a man of iron bones. Don't even think about taking in a son-in-law and forgetting your ancestors..."

Miao Cuilan's voice rose loud enough to carry two li. Without saying anything else, the several people of the Cheng family across from the Qian family had unsightly expressions.

Especially the person involved, Cheng Xue, living up to her name, her clear and beautiful little face looked as if snow and hail had fallen.

The Qian and Cheng families left one after another. The remaining Zhao Meizhi and the Zhou family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law traded a few insults and then dispersed.

The conflict sparked by a piece of meat ended in such a weak and anticlimactic way.

Oh, it didn't quite end.

After the Xie family and Shen family returned home and quieted down, the Zhou family erupted in a new round of quarreling.

Shen Yao didn't hear it very clearly. It seemed to be about a child secretly eating meat while the adults weren't around?

"Sister, that meat wasn't eaten by Tie Dan. Zhou Erni lied. She ate it herself and only gave Tie Dan a tiny piece."

"No, no, I saw Zhou Erni also give a piece to Li Laibao."

Shen Ning and Shen Jin, one on the left and one on the right, followed Shen Yao like left and right protectors.

"You two know about this? It sounds like it has something to do with Zhou Erni."

Not expecting her younger siblings to have seen the inside story, Shen Yao lowered her head and smiled, feeling even more that the courtyard house was lively.

They had only been eating a meal, and they saw a great show.

"Yao Yao, when you marry over there, Grandma will come see you when she has time."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou greeted Shen Yao, not resting for half a day, and didn't feel tired at all.

Shen Yao said seriously, "By then I'll get Grandma a separate key, and we can go over anytime."

Watching the excitement, anyway Grandmother-in-law Zhou is a retired employee and has nothing but plenty of time.

"Alright, by then if you're pregnant, Grandma can still take care of you.

Rest assured. Your mother gave birth to you three, and it was all arranged by Grandma.

You just get pregnant. Leave the rest to Grandma. I guarantee no problem."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou suddenly felt there was nothing wrong with taking a key to her granddaughter's home.

Young couples lovey-dovey; that child isn't something that comes just because you say it does.

Having so much rich experience herself, she should shine and radiate heat (join the fun) for her children and grandchildren.

The meal the Shen family and Xie family ate made both sides very satisfied.

After the New Year, time came to 1969. Shen Yao had rested enough of her leave and officially returned to the Canning Factory.

The snow of winter slowly melted as the weather warmed. The dry branches on both sides of the street also sprouted tender green buds without anyone noticing.

On streets and alleys, people went out to move about, replacing the padded jackets wrapped around their bodies with light thin single clothes.

In such an atmosphere, the wedding of Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an gradually approached.

"Little Yao"

"Li Jie"

After her maternity leave ended, Li Nian, who had officially started working, smiled and waved at Shen Yao.

"This is a little something Sister gives you. It's not valuable. Keep it for yourself."

Li Nian stuffed a wrapped handkerchief into Shen Yao's hands, an ordinary blue-and-white striped pattern.

"Li Jie, this..."

Shen Yao unconsciously pushed it back two or three times. Seeing Li Nian was truly firm, she simply agreed and let the other party send over several prescriptions for Chinese medicine to promote lactation when she got back.

Nowadays people think breast milk is best for raising children, but Li Nian's milk supply has never been high, and now it's increasingly insufficient for her own chubby daughter.

"Will it cause you trouble?" Li Nian rubbed her palms, looking a bit embarrassed.

She had secretly tried various methods herself, including crucian carp soup, pig trotter soup, and stewed chicken soup, none of which worked.

"What trouble, it's just that this matter needs to be asked of Li Jie to keep under wraps for now; the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital side is sensitive, not good to say outside."

These past few years the wind has been tight, the big shots understand what they understand.

Li Nian waved her hands repeatedly to show she understood, "Rest assured, my lips are sealed."

Some words can be boasted about, but some words must be pressed in the heart, not leaking half a bit outside.

Like the child Li Nian is carrying, besides her and Old Li, two people, others still don't know how it came to be, including both sets of parents, all to reduce trouble.

Otherwise who knows if there won't be that kind of person who speaks without meaning but listens with intent.

Shen Yao smiled and nodded, then chatted a couple of sentences with Li Nian, before they parted ways with each other.

After going to the parking place and pushing her own bicycle away, Shen Yao simply found a shady spot and opened the handkerchief in her hand.

What met her eyes were two watch tickets, and also a sewing machine ticket.

Shen Yao:... As expected of Hao, really has treasures.

Besides a few big items, there were many small objects, generally daily necessities coupons, able to buy cookware and various washing supplies.

Oh, there's also a cigarette ticket here, just right for when getting the marriage certificate and holding the wedding banquet.

"Leave it for Uncle Shen, my factory side gave some, you see take some you need."

If not needed we'll keep them first, and later when you want to buy things we'll arrange again."

Xie Ci'an smiled and handed Shen Yao a stack of tickets and coupons, looking even thicker.

Shen Yao:...

Never having fought such a prosperous battle, Shen Yao rubbed her palms and was determined to decorate their little home perfectly.

In mid-March, the two each received their household registration, and directly went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to register their marriage.

Let me tell you, the marriage certificate of the seventies was not the little booklet of later generations, but a certificate similar to a commendation.

There were no photos of them on it, only the person's name and birth year and month, with the Civil Affairs Bureau's seal stamped below.

Shen Yao looked left and right, finally handing it to Xie Ci'an, "By then we'll buy a picture frame to mount and keep it properly."

Xie Ci'an smiled and nodded, "Go to the photo studio?"

At this time the photo studio belonged to public business, one large photo costing between five mao and one yuan.

Shen Yao thought for a bit, feeling that hanging black-and-white photos in the room was a bit awkward, "First take two small ones just for the meaning, and later when there's an opportunity we'll take more."

But on time we'll have to wait a bit, at least color tape appearing and becoming popular on a large scale was in the eighties and nineties.

While speaking, the two turned a corner and went to the photo studio not far from the Civil Affairs Bureau.

After taking two full-length and half-length photos, and setting the time to come pick them up, leaving eight mao in fees, the two then went to the Department Store to buy furniture.

Like the shoe cabinet, dressing table, wardrobe, clothes rack, desk, etc., that Shen Yao mentioned before, Xie Ci'an had already asked a senior carpenter to help make them.

What they came to buy now were some common tools they would use.

Such as radios, sewing machines, pedestal fans, cloth curtains, washbasins, warm kettles, towels and hand towels, quilts, quilt covers, pillowcases, etc.

The two also spent two hundred and four at the counter to buy two Shanghai brand mechanical watches.

Sigh.

"This way, we two have truly become poor devils."

The money Shen Yao saved, the money Xie Ci'an took out, all was spent cleanly by themselves.

Thinking they were done buying? No no no, it's just because Shen Yao had no money left in her hand and had to temporarily stop.

Stretching out his hand to rub Shen Yao's hair, Xie Ci'an said he still had money in his hand, "Next week when we go out we'll continue buying."

Isn't money meant to be spent? Xie Ci'an had worked for several years, besides needing to give Tian Na ten yuan for food expenses and ten yuan for filial money every month, the rest was all held in his hand and saved.

The money Shen Yao just spent was a drop in the bucket to Xie Ci'an.

Shen Yao raised her eyebrow, "Comrade Xie, cannot let extravagant and decadent customs arise."

Wait until we finish the wedding banquet before buying, then we can collect a sum of gift money."

Shen Yao, possessed by a little money grubber, felt her brain was turning fast.

Although she had only worked at the Canning Factory for half a year plus a bit, her personal connections were not few; this wedding, no matter what, she had to get some capital back.

Xie Ci'an nodded in agreement, "My side is the same, everyone is looking forward to my marriage."

Now he finally fulfilled their wishes, shouldn't he give some face.

The brand new young couple smiled at each other.

Truly worthy of the person she/he likes, their thoughts are exactly the same.

"Sister Zhou, March 25, remember to come drink the wedding wine then."

"Li Jie, March 25, behind things are busy, time is a bit rushed."

"Brother Wang, March 25, is at Fengshou Hutong Number Five, the innermost home."

"Xiao Deng, March 25,..."

At the Canning Factory canteen, Shen Yao quickly finished eating and started finding people to talk about it.

Over and over just these two sentences, simply put she wanted to hold a wedding banquet on March 25, then everyone must come out with people and effort to attend.

That day was also the Canning Factory's weekend, everyone had a day of adjusted rest time.

Generous like Zhou Shujuan and Li Nian, agreeing quickly; shy like Xiao Deng and Xiao Pan, not forgetting to open their mouths to congratulate Shen Yao on her happy new marriage.

"Little Shen, after you're busy sit down and rest," Zhou Shujuan patted her hands, smiling and asking what she wanted, then she would directly give gifts to save Shen Yao from going to buy them herself.

In this era, giving gifts didn't just refer to money, but also various items.

Like the most common pair of chamber pots, a pair of warming pots, a pair of mandarin duck pillowcases, all common and presentable gifts.

"Sister Zhou, just come, don't be polite at all."

What needed buying has been bought; the finished ear room now awaits Shen Yao and Xie Ci'an, this young couple, to move in.

Zhou Shujuan laughed cheerfully, "What politeness, you don't lack anything; when the time comes, Sister Zhou will watch you buy."

Spring has come, and the department store is changing seasons; it seems young girls like dressing up, so why not buy snowflake cream or lipstick scarves and such; Little Shen has fair skin and looks good, dressing up would be very suitable.

Zhou Shujuan pondered in her heart, while smiling even more brilliantly at Shen Yao on the surface.

Why else would they say having good connections is beneficial at a wedding.

Shen Yao's wedding this time, not to mention her own relatives and Xie Ci'an's Machinery Factory, just the Canning Factory and Zhao Yueyue's two places gave Shen Yao nearly one hundred yuan in gift money.

Shen Yao wore a red dress all over, her hair arranged in a beautiful round bun pinned behind her head.

Outside the sky darkened, and the crowds that had come to liven up the day all dispersed.

Sitting cross-legged on the wooden bed embroidered with large red mandarin ducks, Shen Yao lowered her head to count the gift money in her hands.

"One hundred? One hundred and five mao? One hundred?"

Shen Yao's eyes shone amazingly, especially when looking at Xie Ci'an beside her, wearing a red coat that made his eyebrows and eyes look even more clean and handsome.

Xie Ci'an was slightly dazed, his Adam's apple below his neck moved slightly, his voice hoarse, "What's wrong?"

Shen Yao sighed, "The gift money is too heavy; they are all debts of affection sent over."

Thinking it's purely taking advantage? Wrong wrong wrong, this is a bond of connection between both parties.

"Tired?"

Xie Ci'an looked at Shen Yao with a face full of tenderness, his whole person moving close to her.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao unconsciously licked her mouth corner; she was indeed somewhat tired.

But this tiredness was not that tiredness; one could only say, she was somewhat hungry.

Wrapping both arms around Xie Ci'an's neck, Shen Yao delivered herself to him.

The atmosphere around gradually became ambiguous; neither of the two made the first move, but the distance between them growing closer made their hearts race.

The beautiful mandarin duck quilt was lifted and then fell; the lit bedside lamp was warm and soft.

Shen Yao felt like a small boat, drifting with the waves in a windstorm and rainstorm.

Occasionally tired and sleepy, she was soon swept up by a new round of jing shen.

Shen Yao:... Are young people this strong? Why is her body healthy, yet she is still so tired?

She really didn't understand why women were the ones who got tired doing this kind of thing.

She was somewhat dazed and muddled; when Shen Yao regained her senses again, the sky outside was already bright.

Covering her mouth and giving a dainty yawn, Shen Yao turned over and rolled into Xie Ci'an's embrace.

Fortunately she had foresight, saving her previous holiday until now to use.

Otherwise she would truly experience today what is meant by a short spring night and no morning court.